Knob retainer



1960 F. .1. RUSSELL ETAL 2,961,268

KNOB RETAINER Filed June 1, 1959 3 5 4 T 4 -424 3 M m 3. 3 4 I 5 5 5 L H Y 2 a 5 4 7/ 2 Law E 2 l a W 2 O STE 0 3 SEV 4 .l U N T. w 2 l M m 4 7 JJ 2 3 Z 4 5 E Rm 6 W 8 E U: FF 6 l O 3 2 Y I: 3 C! E B m w o 4 m 3 a Q 2 5 w E m g 5 4 United States Patent KNOB RETAINER Fred J. Russell, 3800 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, Calif., and Franz J. Netschert, Glendale, Calif.; said Netschert assignor to said Russell Filed June 1, 1959, Ser. No. 817,387

6 Claims. (Cl. 292352) The invention relates to door lock sets and has special reference to a means by which a door knob is releasably attached to a spindle so that when the appropriate occasion arises the knob can be removed from the spindle without the necessity of disturbing the installation of the remaining portions of the latch set in the door.

More recently than the old style lock sets which made use of a short screw for holding a knob on a spindle, more modern lock sets have used resilient catches and retainers of one kind or another for securing a knob to the spindle in a manner which by manipulation of the resilient means facilitates removal of the knob. The sundry retainers and catches devised for this purpose have had certain drawbacks which this invention seeks to overcome. Some of the prior art devices have been difficult to assemble into the lock during its manufacture. Obviously, such devices have not been easy to use after installation of the lock set in a door. Where leaf type springs have been employed, many of the springs have been too stiif to permit ready manipulation or too limber to secure the knob fast to an extent prohibiting a certain degree of rattling. Leaf type springs have had a tendency to fail early in use. Moreover, the limited space available between the knob shank and the spindle under ordinary circumstances has compounded the problem of devising a satisfactory resilient catch or retainer which satisfies current demands with respect to ease of manipulation and cheapness in cost.

- It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved spring actuated retainer for holding a knob to a spindle against withdrawal as well as against rotation, which is simple in construction, easy to install during the initial assembly, and which is also easy to operate when in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spring actuated knob retainer which is particularly rugged in construction but which is so devised that under proper circumstances it can be very easily released to permit removal of the knob and subsequent replacement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spring actuated knob retainer which is so constructed both with respect to its form and incorporation in the spindle as to take advantage of the relatively large cross-sectional area of the spindle rather than being confined to a limited space defined by- -With these andother objects in view, the invention; 6

23 and considerably smaller than theiopenings.

consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a knob attached to the hollow spindle, the remaining parts of the lock with which the spindle cooperates having been omitted in the interest of clarity.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3."

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the position of a spring keeper for the spring of a locking plate when assembled.

Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the hollo tubular spindle made use of in the assembly.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking plate element.

"Figure 8 is a top view of a spring keeper which is used in association with the locking plate.

I Figure 9 is a bottom view of the spring keeper.

' In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration there is shown a knob 10 having an extension 11 thereon on the side which normally faces the door. In this particular form of the invention there is provided a retention sleeve 12 which is fastened inside the knob in a position extending into the extension and anchored fast within the knob so that it serves as a reinforcing interior for the knob and also as an element receptive of a tubular spindle 13. It will'be noted incidentally that the retention sleeve bears against a shoulder 14 at the inner end of the extension and that it is fastened at its outer end by employment of a face plate 15 anchored to a flange 16 of the sleeve.

On the tubular sleeve are roll-back elements 20 extending radially outwardly at an appropriate location at the inside end. A slot 21 extends throughout the entire length of the tubular spindle at one side thereof. For convenience this is along the side opposite the roll-back elements 20, and is referred to herein as a longitudinal slot.

Extending transversely across one side of the tubular spindle on the side thereof opposite from the slot and at a location intermediate opposite ends is a transverse slot 22, somewhat wider than the longitudinal slot in the chosen embodiment.

Also located on the tubular spindle is an opening 23' which is diametrically opposite the center of the slot 22 or, in other words, diametrically opposite the point of intersection of the slot 22 with the slot 21. A similar opening 24 in the retention sleeve 12 is adapted to coincide with the opening 23 and is substantially the same length and breadth. In the chosen example both openings are rectangular. An access hole 25 is located in the extension 11 of the knob 10, the access hole being centrally disposed with respect to the openings 24 and Alhoughthe size of the access hole is not critical,'it should largeenough to accommodate at least the point of Patented Nov. 22,

The body 28is comparable in areato the area of the interior of the tubular spindle 13 and has curved edges 30 permitting. the. locking.plate to move to a position close to the inside wall. of -the spindle. An,opening 31:.

through the body is adapted to accommodate the tail piece of a tumbler cylinder (not shown).

On the side" ofithe body opposite from the projection 29 areextensions 32 and 33 which project into the slot 22... It is important to note that the extensions 32 and 33 clear the inside wall of the retention-sleeve 12 by an amount which is slightly in excess of the thickness of the retention sleeve. This is necessary in order to be able to, push the projection 29 entirely out of engagement with the opening 24 when the proper occasion. arises; It is further. of consequence that the length of the slot 22 be great enough so that the entire breadth. of the body 28 can extend into the slot and be retained thereinon one side. Constructed as described, the locking; plate is guided at its opposite ends which facilitates its ease of movement when: operated.

The lockinglplate is spring-pressed into the locking position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 by use of a coiled spring 35 which is retained by a spring keeper 36. Sufli- -cient space is provided between the bottom of the recess. 37 and the spring keeper to assure that the coils of the "spring-35 will at no time compress upon each other.

A recess 37 in the edge 38 ofthe body is formed by some appropriate tool large enough to snugly receive the adjacent end of the spring 35.

A spring keeper 36 is specially constructedto serve its purpose in that it needs to be anchored securely within the tubular spindle when assembled but be capable of removal from the spindle when the appropriate occasion arises:

The spring, keeper consists of a central boss 40, here having a rounded form, and an outside diameter slightly less than the breadth of the slot 22 but somewhat greater than the breadth of the slot 21. Arms 41 and .42 extend radially outwardly fromthe central boss on :diametrically opposite sides. The arms are somewhat wedge-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Figure 3, and are constructed with what may be described as legs 43 and 44 which terminate at an apex 45. The slot 26 for a distance outwardly from opposite sides of the slot 22 is beveled atathe inner edges, as indicated by the reference characters'46.and 47.

Extending through the boss 40 is a non-circular aperture 48.here having the-formof a hexagonal opening which may be engaged by an appropriately sized hexagonal wrench for manipulating-the keeper. On the inner side of the keeper is a recess 49 which is adapted to receive the end of the spring 35 opposite from the end received in therecess 37. The arms 41 and 42 of the keeper have such a size with relation to the bevelled parts 46 and 47 of the slot 21 that the keeper entirely clears the inside wallof the tubular spindle 13 in order to provide the greatest possible amount of space to be-occupiedby the spring:35 in: order to permit movement of the locking plate'a'distance suflicient to have the projection 29 clear thezopening 24 before the coils of the spring are compacted upon each other.

When the spring keeper 36 is in position in the cross slot 22 it .will serve as a stopfor the locking plate 27 whenit isizdep'ressed. Thisis of special advantage when the knob is oifl'the. spindle and ready to bereplaced inas- 4' much as it prevents over depressing of the spring 35 which'could otherwise happen when the knob is removed.

The device in assembled position is as heretofore described shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. In this position the spring keeper lies with the arms 41 and 42 received in the beveled portions of the slot 21 and in this position the central boss 40, even though of diameter greater than the slot 21, extends into the slot 22 at its area of intersection with the slot 21 so that the entire keeper comfortably clears the inside diameter of the tubular spindle 13 as previously mentioned.

When it is desired to disengage the knob 10 and hence the retention sleeve 12 from the tubular spindle, a tool such as a nail is inserted into-the hole 25 in order to press against the adjacent edge of the projection 29 and thereby depress the locking plate 27, moving it against tension of the spring 355 a" distancefar enough to'perrnit the edge of the projection to-clear the inside wall of the retention sleeve. With the projection out of the opening 24, the knob and sleeve can he slid endwise off the tubular spindle. When the knob is to be replaced, it is necessary only to again depress the projection by use of the fingers, if need be, far enough to clear the end edge of the retention sleeve and then press the sleeve and the knob endwise into place until the projection again falls into the opening 24 into which his urged by pressure of the spring 35..

When it becomes necessary to remove the locking plate entirely from thetubular spindle after the knob: has been removed, a toolof'appropriate shape and size such as. a hexagonal wrench is inserted into the aperture 38.

the spring 35 until the arms 41 and 42 clear. the inside than the breadth of the slot, the keeper then can be drawn outwardly together with the spring 35 through the slot 22, after which the locking plate 27 can also be removed through the slot 22.

When it becomes desirable to replace the locking plate, the plate is again passed through the slot 22 in. reverse direction, the keeper with a spring mounted in the recess 49 is then passed through the slot 22 by use of the previously mentioned tool until it clears the inside wall of the tubular spindle, after which the keeper is again rotated until it is in alignment with the slot. 21, after which. the tool is-removed and the spring 35 pressesIthe keeper into the position previously described andshown in the beveled portions of the slot 21.

It will be understood from. the foregoing description that the parts necessary for the device are simple in character and capable of being made by conventional tools.

Theassembly is further simplified by the fact that the slit normally present. in the tubular spindle is made use of in locking the spring keeper in place. Virtually the only additional operation needed on the conventionalportion.

of .the lock mechanism consists of the cutting of theslot 22 and the openings 23 and 24. The device is conse-* quently one which isrelatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture as well as one which offers a considerable ease of assembly and manipulation after installation.

While we have herein shown and described our inven- .and aLtubuIar spindle having a longitudinal 'slottherein mounting said knob assembly, the combination of a re- I If the tool is provided with a shoulder, it is. helpful in pressing the spring keeper against tension of.

tainer for releasably securing said knob assembly on said spindle, said retainer comprising a locking member mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the interior of the knob assembly coincident with said first opening and means forming an exterior access hole in said knob assembly in alignment with said second opening, said lockmg member having a portion thereof receivable in said openings whereby to secure said knob assembly to said spindle, means forming a transverse slot in the spindle intersecting the longitudinal slot, one of said slots being wider than the other slot, a releasable spring keeper having a breadth greater than the breadth of one of the slots and less than the breadth of the other of said slots, a spring between said keeper and said locking member, said keeper having an assembled position partially received in the slot of narrower breadth under pressure of said spring and being subject to rotation to a position of alignment with the slot of greater breadth whereby to enable removal.

2. In a door lock device including a knob assembly and a tubular spindle having a longitudinal slot therein mounting said knob assembly, the combination of a retainer for releasably securing said knob assembly on said spindle, said retainer comprising a locking member mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the interior of the knob assembly coincident with said first opening and means forming an exterior access hole in said knob assembly in alignment with said second opening, said locking member having a portion thereof receivable in said openings whereby to secure said knob assembly to said spindle, means forming a transverse slot in the spindle intersecting the longitudinal slot at a location opposite the opening in said spindle, one of said slots being wider than the other of said slots, the wider of said slots being receptive of said locking member, a releasable spring keeper having ends of breadth greater than the breadth of the wider of said slots and less than the breadth of the narrower of said slots, the wider of said slots having a recessed portion thereof adjacent the intersection for reception of said keeper, a spring having an engagement at one end thereof with said keeper and at the other end thereof with said locking member, said keeper having an assembled position received in the recessed portion under pressure of said spring and being subject to rotation to a position of alignment with the wider of said slots whereby to enable release and removal of said locking plate from said spindle.

3. In a door lock device including a knob assembly and a tubular spindle having a longitudinal slot therein mounting said knob assembly, the combination of a retainer for releasably securing said knob assembly on said spindle against rotation and endwise removal, said retainer comprising a locking member mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the interior of the knob assembly coincident with said first opening and means forming an exterior access hole in said knob assembly in alignment with said second opening, said locking member having a portion thereof receivable in said openings whereby to secure said knob assembly to said spindle, means forming a transverse slot in the spindle intersecting the longitudinal slot at a locaiton opposite the opening in said spindle and wider than said longitudinal slot, said transverse slot being receptive of said locking member, a releasable spring keeper having ends of breadth greater than the breadth of the longitudinal slot and less than the breadth of said transverse slot, a spring having an engagement at one end thereof with said keeper and at the other end thereof with said locking member, said keeper having an assembled position partially received in said longitudinal slot under pressure of said spring and being subject to rotation to a position of alignment with said transverse slot whereby to enable release and removal of said locking member from said spindle.

4. In a door lock device including a knob having an extension thereon, a retention sleeve secured in said knob and a tubular spindle having a longitudinal slot therein mounting said sleeve and said knob, the combination of a retainer for releasably securing said sleeve and said knob on said spindle against rotation and endwise removal, said retainer comprising a spring extendible locking plate mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the sleeve coincident with said first opening and means forming an access hole in said knob in alignment with said second opening, a projection on said locking plate receivable in said openings whereby to secure said sleeve to said spindle, means forming a transverse slot in the spindle intersecting the longitudinal slot at a location diametrically opposite the opening in said spindle and wider than said longitudinal slot, said transverse slot being receptive of said locking plate, a releasable spring keeper having wedgeshaped ends of breadth greater than the breadth of the longitudinal slot and less than the breadth of said transverse slot, a coil spring having an engagement at one end thereof with said keeper and at the other end thereof with said locking plate, said keeper having an assembled position partially received in said longitudinal slot under pressure of said spring and being subject to rotation to a position of alignment with said transverse slot whereby to enable release and removal of said locking plate from said spindle.

5. In a door lock device including a knob assembly and a tubular spindle having a longitudinal slot therein mounting said knob assembly, the combination of a retainer for releasably securing said knob assembly on said spindle, said retainer comprising a locking member mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the interior of the knob assembly coincident with said first opening and means forming an exterior access hole in said knob assembly in alignment with said second opening, said locking member having a portion thereof receivable in said openings whereby to secure said knob assembly to said spindle, means forming a transverse slot in the spindle intersecting the longitudinal slot, one of said slots being wider than the other slot, a releasable spring keeper having a breadth greater than the breadth of one of the slots and less than the breadth of the other of said slots, a spring between said keeper and said locking member, said keeper having an assembled position partially received in the slot of narrower breadth under pressure of said spring and being subject to rotation to a position of alignment with the slot of greater breadth whereby to enable removal means forming a recess in said locking member at an edge thereof facing said keeper for reception of the spring, said keeper being in blocking engagement with said locking member in the position of greatest depression of said locking member whereby to prevent separation of said locking member, the bottom of said recess in said position of greatest depression being spaced from the keeper a distance substantially in excess of the collapsed length of the spring whereby to prevent excessive depression of the spring.

6. In a door lock device including a knob assembly and a tubular spindle having a longitudinal slot therein mounting said knob assembly, the combination of a retainer for releasably securing said knob assembly on said spindle, said retainer comprising a locking member mounted transversely within said spindle, means forming an opening through the wall of the spindle on one side thereof, means forming a second opening in the interior of the knob assembly coincident with said first opening and means forming an exterior access hole in said knob pressure of said resilient means and being subject to,

re-alignrnent to a position of alignment with the intersecting opening inWhich-it is: not receivedwhereby to enable removal.

References Citedtinthe file of this patent UNITED STATES, PATENTS 2,801,123 Kubik et al July 30, 1957 2,842,389 Muttart July 8, 1958 2,850,313 Check et al. Sept. 2, 1958 

